Governor's son summoned for interfering in affairs of medical college
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday hearing a suo motu case on fee structure and admission criteria of private medical colleges summoned Punjab Governor's son Asif Rajwana over his alleged interference in a private medical college despite the stay orders.
The court also issued show cause notice to Faisalabad University's Vice Chancellor Dr Fareed Zafar for calling and sending text messages to a woman lawyer and barred the VC from performing his duties till further orders. Dr Zafar was sending messages in connection with admission offer to a student in Continental Medical College in Lahore who was earlier refused admission.
When Anjum Hameed advocate told the court that she had received calls and text messages from Dr Zafar as well as Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana's son Asif Rajwana for admission of her neighbors' son, the CJ asked Dr Zafar, "Did you call her for admission of the student?"
The VC tried to explain his position; however, the CJP snubbed him and directed a police officer to take him into custody. However, he barred the policeman by posing another question to the VC, "Why did you call her?" Did you contact the Governor's son for calling the lady with admission offer for the student?" he further asked.
The CJP also expressed serious concerns over absence of uniformity in admission criteria of private medical colleges and setting up their own admission criteria. He observed that why an intelligent son of a poor citizen cannot become doctor even though he deserves to be. "I have been told that such doctors are being produced who even don't know how to check blood pressure," the CJP remarked.
He also summoned Chief Executive Officer of Rashid Latif Medical College along with affidavit and record about their bank accounts and fee they charge from the students as well as the map of buildings.
He also summoned the Lahore Development Authority's Director General along with complete record of Rashid Latif Hospital's building at Ferozepur Road.
The bench directed the owners of Rashid Latif's Hospital, Amina Medical College and Sharif Complex to appear in person along with affidavits and record of their colleges on Thursday (today).
UHS's Professor Dr Faisal Masood presented a report on last three years merit and comparative analysis of the performance of King Edward Medical College University before the bench. However, a PMDC's representative told the bench that Pakistan's medical degrees were questioned in the US and a suggestion was given to ban Pakistani doctors' practice there.
The PMDC's representative told the bench that Central Admission Policy was introduced to uplift the standard of medical education in the country; however, a stay order was issued on it and all the varsities and colleges had completed their admissions. The bench directed the Lahore High Court registrar to present all cases pending before the Lahore High Court or before any bench of the SC within three days.
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